Writers Guild Strike — Day 100 — It’s Over

After 100 days the writers strike is finally over. It began Nov. 5 and sucked $2 billion from the local economy, as much as four times more than the 1988 strike that lasted six weeks longer. Details here.

Photo from Variety

Most of the pain, experts say, was felt by independent contractors, small-business owners and others that have courted TV production crews as favored customers.

The Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. estimates that while $733 million in production spending has been lost, another $1.3 billion came from the pockets of the caterers, florists, valets, hotel operators, restaurant workers, costume-house employees and others.

When factoring the multiplier effect the total loss amounts to $8.2 billion — money that will never be seen again.

Some television shows such as Desperate Housewives will begin shooting this month, others have told their crew and actors that they will shoot 34 episodes — equaling a season and a half of filming. The studios are determined to stock pile as many shows as they can in advance of a possible SAG strike at the end of June.

Most shows shoot about six weeks ahead of air dates – so you will not see new episodes of your favorite show until at least March or possibly April.

The show I was working on will probably start shooting in March — I can only hope!

Posted: 2255PT 02/12/08
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